Activators and target genes of Rel/NF-κB transcription factors

The vertebrate transcription factor NF-kappa B is induced by over 150 different stimuli. Active NF-kappa B, in turn, participates in the control of 'transcription of over 150 target genes. Because a large variety of bacteria and viruses activate NF-kappa B and because the transcription factor regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, immunoreceptors, and cell adhesion molecules, NF-kappa B has often been termed a 'central mediator of the human immune response'. This article contains a complete listing of all NF-kappa B inducers and target genes described to date, The collected data argue that NF-kappa B functions more generally as a central regulator of stress responses, In addition, NF-kappa B activation blocks apoptosis in several cell types. Coupling stress responsiveness and anti-apoptotic pathways through the use of a common transcription factor may result in increased cell survival following stress insults.